Shelf support system

ABSTRACT

A shelf support system is provided for supporting one or more shelves at selected elevations on a vertical surface. In one form of the system, a standard is provided with vertically spaced-apart slots which are concealed when the standard is viewed from the front. A shelf support is provided with an attachment portion for fitting into the slots of the standard. In another form of the system, a shelf support is adjustably mounted to a shelf retainer for clamping the shelf between the shelf support and shelf retainer, and the shelf retainer is in turn attached with screws to a hanger which includes an attachment portion for mounting to the slots in the standard on the wall. In another form of the system, the hanger is not used, and an attachment portion is provided at the rear end of the shelf support which is adjustably attached to the shelf retainer and which is mounted directly to the standard.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

None.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

None.

REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX

None.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention is directed to an improved shelf support system, and more particularly to a shelf support system that can support one or more shelves at selected elevations on a vertical surface.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND TECHNICAL PROBLEMS POSED BY THE PRIOR ART

A typical shelving system available in the “do-it-yourself” market uses elongate, metal rails or standards which are adapted to be vertically oriented and fastened to a wall at laterally spaced-apart locations in a parallel array. The vertical standards are typically attached to a wall by screwing the standards into the studs in the wall. Each standard has a column of vertically spaced slots for receiving the attachment end or connector end of one or more plastic or metal, cantilevered, shelf supports or shelf support brackets. The cantilevered shelf supports are mounted in the slots of the standards at desired levels or elevations along the height of the installed standards. Shelves are placed horizontally across the shelf supports. Some types of shelf supports include holes for receiving screws that are screwed to the undersides of the shelves to securely hold the shelves to the shelf supports.

Variations of the above-described conventional shelving system exist. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,109,461 illustrates a shelving system in which the vertical standards can be hung from a single support bracket at the top of the wall. The vertical standard illustrated in the U.S. Pat. No. 6,109,461 also has a pair of columns of vertically spaced slots rather than just one column of vertically spaced slots.

While the above-described shelving systems can function satisfactorily in the applications for which they are intended, some people may think that the column or columns of vertically spaced slots in the standards which are exposed and visible above and below each shelf are aesthetically objectionable. It would be desirable to provide an improved shelving system in which the visibility of such slots could be minimized relative to an observer looking at the installed shelving system from the front of the shelving system.

It would also be desirable to provide an improved shelf support assembly that could either accommodate attachment of the shelf support to the standard on the wall or optionally be configured to permit mounting of the shelf support directly to a wall or other vertical support surface without using the standard.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an improved system for mounting one or more shelves in a way that improves the aesthetic display of the components. One embodiment of the invention provides a set of components that permits the user to optionally mount a shelf support to a vertical standard attached to the wall or, alternatively, permits the user to mount the shelf support directly to the wall without requiring the use of such a vertical standard.

According to one form of the present invention, a system is provided for mounting one or more shelves to a generally vertical surface (e.g., wall), and the system includes at least one standard for being attached to the vertical surface. The standard has rearwardly extending, spaced-apart, first and second walls and has a front wall extending across the first and second walls to define the front of the standard. The standard first wall defines a column of vertically spaced slots. The standard also has a lateral extension extending laterally beyond the first wall to conceal the slots from view when the standard is attached to the vertical surface and viewed looking generally toward the front of the standard.

The system further includes at least one shelf support (e.g., shelf support bracket) that includes a shelf support platform and an attachment portion. The shelf support platform functions to support at least a portion of a shelf disposed thereon. The attachment portion is located at one end of the shelf support platform and extends adjacent and rearwardly beyond the standard lateral extension. The attachment portion has at least one tab that is located rearwardly of, and extends generally adjacent to, the standard lateral extension and standard front wall. The tab has a cantilevered portion that is adapted to pass through one of the standard first wall slots, and has a foot portion depending downwardly from the cantilevered portion adjacent the standard first wall below the one slot to hold the shelf support on the standard.

According to another form of the invention, a system is provided for mounting one or more shelves to a generally vertical surface, and the system consists of components which provide the installer with the option of mounting the shelving system directly to the vertical surface, or to a standard that is in turn mounted directly to the vertical surface. The standard has the same configuration as described above for the first form of the invention. If the installer decides to use the standard, the standard is attached to the wall.

A shelf support is provided, and the shelf support includes a cantilevered lower clamp jaw on which at least a portion of the shelf bottom surface can be disposed. The shelf support also has a pair of spaced-apart, vertical channels which open toward each other. The shelf support also includes a vertically oriented screw shank-receiving aperture for receiving the shank of a screw.

The system also includes a shelf retainer that has slide portions received in the shelf support channels, a cantilevered upper clamp jaw for engaging a top surface of the shelf, a horizontally oriented screw shank-receiving aperture, and a vertically oriented, threaded bore aligned with the shelf support vertically oriented screw shank-receiving aperture.

The system includes a first screw that has a head bearing against the shelf support and that has a shank extending through the shelf support vertically oriented screw shank-receiving aperture and into threaded engagement with the shelf retainer vertically oriented, threaded bore for adjustably holding the shelf support to the shelf retainer to position the lower clamp jaw at a selected distance below the upper clamp jaw thereby clamping the shelf therebetween.

The system also employs a hanger for mounting the shelf retainer to the standard that is attached to the vertical surface (e.g., wall). The hanger includes a front panel and an attachment portion. The front panel defines a horizontally oriented threaded bore for alignment with the shelf retainer horizontally oriented screw shank-receiving aperture. The attachment portion extends from the front panel adjacent and rearwardly beyond the standard lateral extension and has at least one tab. The attachment portion tab is located rearwardly of, and extends generally adjacent to, the standard lateral extension and standard front wall. The tab also has a cantilevered portion adapted to pass through one of the standard wall slots. The tab also has a foot portion depending downwardly from the cantilevered portion adjacent the standard first wall below the one slot to hold the hanger on the standard.

The system further includes a second screw which has a head bearing against the shelf retainer and which has a shank extending through the shelf retainer horizontally oriented screw shank-receiving aperture and into threaded engagement with the hanger horizontally oriented threaded bore to hold the shelf retainer to the hanger.

If the installer does not wish to employ one or more standards attached to the vertical surface, then no standard is used. In such a case, the installer also does not use the hanger for mounting the shelf retainer to the standard, and does not use the screw for attaching the shelf retainer to the hanger. Instead, a suitable fastener is provided for attaching the shelf retainer directly to the vertical surface (e.g., wall), and such a fastener may be an appropriate screw, toggle bolt, etc. The shelf support remains attached to the shelf retainer so that the lower clamp jaw can cooperate with the shelf retainer upper clamp jaw to hold the shelf.

According to yet another form of the present invention, the function of the above-described separate hanger (for mounting the shelf retainer to the standard) can be incorporated as a unitary part, and extension, of the shelf support that has the lower clamp jaw. In such a modified system, the standard is provided for being attached to the vertical surface (e.g., wall), and the standard has the same design as described above. The shelf support has a cantilevered lower clamp jaw on which at least a portion of the shelf bottom surface can be disposed. The shelf support also has a pair of spaced-apart, vertical channels which open toward each other. The shelf support also has a vertically oriented screw shank-receiving aperture for receiving the shank of a screw. Finally, the shelf support has an attachment portion that extends from the lower clamp jaw adjacent and rearwardly beyond the standard lateral extension and that has at least one tab. The tab is located rearwardly of, and extends generally adjacent to, the standard lateral extension and standard front wall. The tab has a cantilevered portion adapted to pass through one of the standard first wall slots. The tab also has a foot portion depending downwardly from the cantilevered portion adjacent the standard first wall below the one slot to hold the shelf support on the standard.

A shelf retainer is provided with slide portions for being received in the shelf support channels. The shelf retainer has a cantilevered upper clamp jaw for engaging the top surface of the shelf. The shelf retainer also has a horizontally oriented screw shank-receiving aperture, and also has a vertically oriented, threaded bore aligned with the shelf support vertically oriented screw shank-receiving aperture.

A screw is provided with a head for bearing against the shelf support. The screw has a shank extending through the shelf support vertically oriented screw shank-receiving aperture and into threaded engagement with the shelf retainer vertically oriented, threaded bore for adjustably holding the shelf retainer to the shelf support to position the shelf retainer upper clamp jaw at a selected distance above the shelf support lower clamp jaw thereby clamping the shelf therebetween.

Numerous other advantages and features of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description of the invention, from the claims, and from the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawings that form part of the specification, and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary, front, isometric view of a first form of the present invention for mounting one or more shelves on a vertical surface or wall by employing a rail or standard that is attached to the wall and to which a shelf support is mounted;

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the standard employed in the first form of the invention illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the shelf support employed in the first form of the invention illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a front, isometric view similar to FIG. 1, but FIG. 4 shows the installed components of the first form of the system prior to mounting a shelf thereon;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, side elevational view of the system illustrated in FIG. 1 with the wall shown in cross section;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view taken generally along the plane 6-6 in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary, front elevational view of the system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view taken generally along the plane 8-8 in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary, front, isometric view of a second form of the system of the present invention shown installed on a fragmentary portion of a vertical wall;

FIG. 10 is an isometric view of a subassembly of some of the components shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a front, isometric view of the shelf support (including the lower clamp jaw) shown in FIGS. 9 and 10;

FIG. 12 is a rear isometric view of the shelf support shown in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a cross sectional view taken generally along the plane 13-13 in FIG. 11;

FIG. 14 is a front, isometric view of the upper clamp jaw of the second form of the system of the present invention shown in FIGS. 9 and 10;

FIG. 15 is a front, elevational view of the upper clamp jaw shown in FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is an enlarged, cross-sectional view taken generally along the plane 16-16 in FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a rear, isometric view of the hanger of the second form of the system of the present invention shown in FIGS. 9 and 10;

FIG. 18 is a rear, isometric view of the upper clamp jaw shown in FIG. 14 assembled with the shelf support shown in FIG. 12;

FIG. 19 is a front, isometric view of a subassembly of the hanger shown in FIG. 17, the upper clamp jaw shown in FIG. 14, and the shelf support shown in FIG. 1; and in FIG. 19 a portion of the lower clamp jaw is broken away to show interior detail;

FIG. 20 is a fragmentary, side elevational view of the second form of the system of the present invention shown in FIG. 9 taken generally along the plane 20-20 in FIG. 9;

FIG. 21 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view taken generally along the plane 21-21 in FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 is a fragmentary, front elevational view taken along the plane 22-22 in FIG. 20;

FIG. 23 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view taken generally along the plane 23-23 in FIG. 22;

FIG. 24 is a fragmentary, front, isometric view of a third form of the system of the present invention shown installed on a fragmentary portion of a wall;

FIG. 25 is a rear, isometric view of the shelf support (including the lower clamp jaw) shown in FIG. 24;

FIG. 26 is a top plan view taken generally along the plane 26-26 in FIG. 25;

FIG. 27 is a front, isometric view of the upper clamp jaw shown in FIG. 24;

FIG. 28 is a front, elevational view of the upper clamp jaw shown in FIG. 27;

FIG. 29 is an enlarged, cross-sectional view taken generally along the plane 29-29 in FIG. 28;

FIG. 30 is a rear, isometric view of a subassembly of the upper clamp jaw shown in FIG. 27 mounted in the lower clamp jaw shown in FIG. 25;

FIG. 31 is a fragmentary, front elevational view taken generally along the plane 31-31 in FIG. 24;

FIG. 32 is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross-sectional view taken generally along the plane 32-32 in FIG. 31;

FIG. 33 is a fragmentary, side elevational view taken generally along the plane 33-33 in FIG. 31; and

FIG. 34 is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross-sectional view taken generally along the plane 34-34 in FIG. 33.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, this specification and the accompanying drawings disclose only some specific forms as examples of the invention. The invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments so described, however. The scope of the invention is pointed out in the appended claims.

For ease of description, many of the figures illustrating the invention show a shelving support system in the typical orientation that it would have on a vertically oriented wall, in terms such as upper, lower, horizontal, etc., are used with reference to this position. It will be understood, however, that the components of the shelving support system of this invention may be manufactured, stored, transported, and sold in an orientation other than the position described.

The shelving support system of this invention is suitable for use with a variety of conventional or special shelves. The shelves, per se form no part of, and therefore are not intended to limit, the present invention.

A first embodiment of the shelving support system of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1-8, and is designated generally therein by the reference number 40 in FIG. 1. The first embodiment of the shelving support system is shown supporting a single shelf 42 on a vertical surface 44, such as a wall. The shelf 42 is supported on a shelf support 46 which is mounted to a single standard 48 that is attached to the vertical surface or wall 44 by means of one or more suitable fasteners, such as the illustrated screws 50. The shelf support 46 may be described as a shelf support “bracket,” but for convenience herein, the shorter phrase “shelf support” will generally be used for the element 46.

It will be appreciated that in the installation illustrated in FIG. 1, the shelf 42 is a relatively narrow shelf that requires only one shelf support 46. To provide enhanced stability, the shelf 42 maybe be screwed to the shelf support 46 where suitable screws 55 which are each positioned with the screw head at the bottom of the shelf support and which each has a threaded shank extending vertically upwardly into the shelf 42.

It will be appreciated that in more typical shelving arrangements, the shelf 42 is normally much wider (longer) so that it would extend horizontally for a greater distance along the wall or other surface 44. With such a typically wider or longer shelf 42, there would be two (or more) standards 48 spaced apart in a vertically oriented, parallel arrangement. At least one separate shelf support would be associated with each vertical standard 48. Further, typically a plurality of shelves 42 would be mounted with shelf supports 46 in a spaced, vertical array upwardly and downwardly on two or more such standards 48.

For ease of illustration, the invention herein is described with reference to the one shelf 42, the one shelf support 46, and the one standard 48. It should be understood that the invention may be practiced with two or more longer shelves that are each supported by two or more shelf supports 46 mounted to two or more standards 48. Where wider (longer) shelves are employed and are disposed across two or more shelf supports 46 mounted to two or more standards 48, it may not be necessary to provide screws 55 for securing the shelves 42 to the shelf supports 46.

As can be seen in FIG. 2, the standard has a rearwardly extending first wall 51 and a rearwardly extending second wall 52. The walls 51 and 52 are spaced apart, and, in the preferred embodiment, are substantially parallel and terminate in rear vertical edges or surfaces for bearing against the surface of the vertical wall 44 or other support surface to which the standard 48 is attached.

With references to FIG. 2, the first wall 51 defines a column of vertically spaced slots 54 which are adapted to receive an attachment portion of the shelf support 46 as described in detail hereinafter. In one contemplated example, each slot 54 is about five-eighths inch high. As can be see in FIG. 2, the standard 48 also has a lateral extension 56 which extends laterally beyond the first wall 51 to conceal the slots 54 from view when the standard 48 is attached to the vertical wall or other surface 44 and viewed when looking generally toward the front of the standard 48 (as in FIG. 1).

In a presently preferred form of the invention, the standard 48 is made from metal, such as steel. A steel sheet (e.g., about one-eighth inch thick in one contemplated example) can be readily punched to form the slots 54 and formed by bending into the configuration of the standard 48. With such a manufacturing process, the lateral extension 56 is defined by a U-shaped bent portion of the metal having a front leg 58 and a rear leg 60.

It will be understood, however, that the standard 48 may be made from materials other than metal. The standard 48 could be extruded from a suitable thermoplastic material. The lateral extension 56 need not be formed by a U-shaped portion having legs 58 and 60—rather, the lateral extension 56 could be provided as a single wall protruding from the injunction of the front wall 53 and first wall 51.

As can be seen in FIG. 4, the front wall 53 of the standard 48 is preferably provided with a plurality of vertically spaced-apart apertures 64 for each receiving one of the screws 50 (FIG. 1) for attaching the standard 48 to the wall or other vertical surface 44.

As can be see in FIG. 3, the shelf support 46 can be characterized as having two portions—a shelf support platform 70 and an attachment portion 72. The shelf support platform 70, in the preferred embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 6, has a generally U-shaped, transverse cross section defined by a (1) first leg 81, (2) a second leg 82 which is spaced from, and generally parallel, to the first leg 81, and (3) a connecting web 84 which runs along the length of the bottom of the shelf support platform 70. The web 84 along the bottom of the shelf support platform 70 defines one or more apertures 86 (FIGS. 3 and 6) for receiving the shanks of the screws 55 that may optionally be used to screw into the bottom of the shelf 42 for securing the shelf 42 to the shelf support 46.

As can be seen in FIG. 3, the shelf support attachment portion 72 is located at the rear end of the shelf support platform 70. In the preferred form illustrated in FIG. 3, the shelf support platform first leg 81 extends rearwardly into the attachment portion 72. The shelf support platform second leg 82 defines a rearwardly facing, vertical, abutment surface 90 for engaging the front of the standard 48 when the shelf support 46 is attached to the standard 48 as can be seen in FIG. 6.

As can be seen in FIG. 3, the shelf support attachment portion 72 preferably includes a rearwardly extending portion 81A which extends rearwardly as a continuation of the support platform first wall 81. At the rearward end of the extending portion 81A, the attachment portion 72 defines one or more tabs 92 which each has a cantilevered portion 94 and a foot portion 96. In the preferred form illustrated in FIG. 3, there are two such tabs 92.

As can be seen in FIG. 6, the tab cantilevered portion 94 extends through one of the slots 54 of the standard 48. As can be seen in FIG. 8, the tab foot portion 96 depends downwardly from the cantilevered portion 94 adjacent the standard first wall 51 below the slot 54 to hold the shelf support 46 on the standard 48. Each tab 92 may be characterized as each extending generally adjacent to, and rearwardly of, the standard lateral extension 56 and standard front wall 53. Each tab 92 may also be further characterized, in the preferred form illustrated, as extending generally parallel to, and rearwardly of, the standard lateral extension first leg 58, second leg 60, and front wall 53. The shelf support 46 can be formed from sheet steel. It will be understood, however, that the shelf support 46 could be made from materials other than metal (e.g., a synthetic polymer).

Each shelf support 46 can be readily mounted to the standard 48 by inserting the tab 92 into the standard slots 54 and pushing the shelf support downwardly to fully seat the shelf support 46 on the standard 48. Next, the shelf 42 can be placed on one or more shelf supports 46 attached to one or more standards 48. Optionally, each shelf support 46 may also be screwed to the shelf 42 as previously described. When the mounted shelving system is viewed generally from the front (e.g., FIG. 1), the mounting slots 54 in the standard 48 are not visible. Thus, the front of each standard presents a relatively flat front surface that is free of open apertures that might be considered to be aesthetically undesirable and/or that could snag objects placed on the shelf 42 or trap dust.

A second form of the shelving system of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 9-23 and is designated in some of the figures generally by the reference number 140. As with the first embodiment 40 described above with reference to FIGS. 1-8, the second form of the invention employs one or more standards 48 which are adapted to be mounted to a vertical surface or wall 44 with one or more screws or other suitable fasteners 50 as illustrated in FIG. 9. The second form of the shelving system 140 includes a shelf support 146 which is attached to a shelf retainer 150 for clamping the shelf 42 between the shelf support 146 and shelf retainer 150. The shelf retainer 150 and the attached shelf support 146 are mounted together to a hanger 160 which in turn is mounted to the standard 48.

As can be seen in FIG. 11, the shelf support 146 includes a rear portion defining a pair of spaced-apart vertical channels 164 which open toward each other, and the shelf support 146 also includes a forwardly extending or cantilevered, lower clamp jaw 170 on which the bottom surface of the shelf 42 can be disposed as shown in FIG. 20. The lower clamp jaw 170 is defined by a rim around a concave, hollow region. The jaw 170 could be solid or have other shapes.

As can be seen in FIG. 13, the shelf support 146 also includes a vertically oriented screw shank-receiving aperture 172 with a countersunk opening 174. The aperture 172 is not threaded and is adapted to receive the shank 178 (FIG. 19) of a screw having a head 180 which is adapted to bear against the shelf support at the countersunk opening 174.

As can be seen in FIGS. 14, 15, and 16, the shelf retainer 150 has slide portions 184 for each being received in one of the shelf support vertical channels 164 as can be seen in FIG. 18. The shelf retainer 150 also includes a cantilevered upper clamp jaw 190 for engaging the top surface of the shelf 42 (FIGS. 9 and 20).

As can be seen in FIG. 14, the lower end of the shelf retainer 150 includes a forwardly projecting lug or boss 200 defining a vertically oriented, threaded bore 206 which, when the shelf retainer 150 is mounted in the shelf support 146 as shown in FIG. 19, is aligned with the shelf support vertically oriented screw shank-receiving aperture and with the screw shank 178 so that the screw shank 178 can be threadingly engaged with the shelf retainer threaded bore 206 (FIG. 12).

The shelf retainer 150 also defines one or more apertures 210 (FIG. 15), and in the preferred embodiment illustrated, two apertures 210 are provided in a spaced-apart, vertical array. As can be seen in FIG. 19, each aperture 210 is not threaded, but is adapted to accommodate the threaded shank 218 of a machine screw having a head 216. Each aperture 210 is countersunk to accommodate the screw head 216.

As can be seen in FIG. 17, the hanger 160 has a front panel 220 defining one or more horizontally oriented threaded bores 222. As can be seen in FIG. 19, the hanger bores 222 are adopted for receiving the screw shanks 218 extending rearwardly from the shelf retainer 150 when the shelf retainer 150 is attached with the screws to the hanger 160 (FIGS. 10 and 19).

Initially, the shelf support 146 can be adjustably connected to the shelf retainer 150 with the threaded shank 178 of the screw extending upwardly from the bottom of the shelf support 146 into the threaded bore of the shelf retainer boss or lug 200 (FIG. 19). The assembly of the shelf retainer 150 and connected shelf support 146 can then be attached to the hanger 160 with the two machine screws that each have the head 216 engaged with the shelf retainer 150 and the threaded shank 218 threadingly engaged with one of the threaded bores 222 of the hanger 160. The connected assembly of the shelf support 146, shelf retainer 150, and hanger 160 can then be mounted at a selected elevation on the standard 48 as shown in FIGS. 20-23.

In order to accommodate the mounting of the hanger 160 to the standard 48, the hanger 160 includes an attachment portion 230 (FIG. 10) that extends from the front panel rearwardly. When the hanger 160 is mounted on the standard 48, the attachment portion 230 may be characterized as extending from the hanger front panel 220 adjacent and rearwardly beyond the standard lateral extension 56 as shown in FIG. 23.

As can be seen in FIG. 10, the hanger attachment portion 230 includes a rearwardly extending leg or wall 232 and a rear wall 234 extending from the wall or leg 232. With reference to FIG. 17, the rear wall 234 is spaced rearwardly of, and is generally parallel to, the front wall 220. With continued reference to FIG. 17, the hanger attachment portion 230 also includes one or more tabs 240. In the preferred embodiment illustrated in FIG. 17, the tabs 240 are vertically spaced apart and extend from the rear wall 234. As can be seen in FIG. 17, each tab 240 has a cantilevered portion 242 and a foot portion 244 which depends downwardly from the cantilevered portion 242. As can be seen in FIG. 21, when the hanger 160 is mounted on the standard 48, the tab cantilevered portion 242 passes through one of the standard first wall slots 54, and the tab foot portion 244 extends downwardly from the cantilevered portion adjacent the standard first wall 51 below the slot 54 to hold the hanger 160 on the standard 48. Each tab 240 may be characterized as being located rearwardly of, and extending generally parallel to, the standard lateral extension 56.

When the shelf support 146 connected to the shelf retainer 150 sufficiently far below the shelf retainer upper clamp jaw 190, there is enough space between the upper clamp jaw 190 and the shelf support lower clamp jaw 170 to insert the shelf 42 as shown in FIG. 20. If necessary, the adjusting screw in the shelf support 146 can be adjusted by engaging the screw head 180 (FIG. 19) with a screw driver, and rotating the screw to move the shelf support 146 upwardly relative to the shelf retainer upper clamp jaw 190 so that the shelf 42 is tightly gripped between the lower clamp jaw 170 and upper clamp jaw 190.

The second form of the shelf support system of the present invention described above with reference to FIGS. 9-23 accommodates an optional method of use with a reconfiguration of the components. In particular, in some applications, an installer may not care to have vertical adjustability of the shelf or shelves, and the installer may not wish to employ one or more standards 48 attached to the wall or other vertical surface 44. Rather, the installer may wish to mount the shelf retainer 150 (with the attached shelf support 146) directly to the wall 44. In such a case, the installer would not use the hanger 160 and, of course, would not use the standard 48. Instead, the machine screws (shown in FIG. 19 with the threads 218) would be replaced with other suitable fasteners, such as wood screws, or other screws for mounting directly to a wall with or without other fastener devices (e.g., toggle bolt, nylon insert anchor, etc.). The shelf retainer 150 could then be mounted directly to the wall 44, and the shelf support 146 could then be attached to the shelf retainer 150 with the screw shank 178.

A third form of the shelving system of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 24-34 and is designated in some of the figures generally by the reference number 140A. As with the first embodiment 40 described above with reference to FIGS. 1-8, the third form of the invention employs one or more standards 48 which are adapted to be mounted to a vertical surface or wall 44 with one or more screws or other suitable fasteners 50 as illustrated in FIG. 24. The third form of the shelving system 140A includes a shelf support 146A which is attached to a shelf retainer 150A for clamping the shelf 42 between the shelf support 146A and shelf retainer 150A. The shelf support 146A, with the shelf retainer 150A attached, is mounted to the standard 48.

As can be seen in FIG. 25, the shelf support 146A includes a rear portion defining a pair of spaced-apart vertical channels 164A which open toward each other, and the shelf support 146A also includes a forwardly extending or cantilevered, lower clamp jaw 170A on which the bottom surface of the shelf 42 can be disposed as shown in FIG. 24. These aspects of the shelf retainer 146A are the same as in the second embodiment of the shelf retainer 146 illustrated in FIG. 13.

As can be seen in FIG. 26, the shelf support 146A also includes a vertically oriented screw shank-receiving aperture 172A with a countersunk opening. This aspect of the shelf retainer 146A is the same as in the second embodiment of the shelf retainer 146 illustrated in FIG. 13. The aperture 172A is not threaded and is adapted to receive the shank 178A (FIG. 32) of a screw having a head 180A (FIG. 31) which is adapted to bear against the bottom of the shelf support 146A at the countersunk opening of the aperture 172A.

In order to accommodate the mounting of the shelf support 146A to the standard 48, the shelf support 146A includes an attachment portion 230A (FIG. 26) that extends rearwardly behind the channels 164A. When the shelf support 146A is mounted on the standard 48 as shown in FIG. 32, the attachment portion 230A may be characterized as extending from the lower clamp jaw 170A adjacent and rearwardly beyond the standard lateral extension 56.

As can be seen in FIG. 25, the shelf support attachment portion 230A includes a rearwardly extending leg or wall 232A and a rear wall 234A extending from the wall or leg 232A. With reference to FIG. 25, the rear wall 234A is rearwardly of, and is generally parallel to, the channels 164A.

With continued reference to FIG. 25, the attachment portion 230A also includes at least one tab 240A. In the preferred embodiment illustrated in FIG. 25, the tab 240A extends from the rear wall 234A. As can be seen in FIG. 25, the tab 240A has a cantilevered portion 242A and a foot portion 244A which depends downwardly from the cantilevered portion 242A. As can be seen in FIGS. 32 and 34, when the shelf support 146A is mounted on the standard 48, the tab cantilevered portion 242A passes through one of the standard first wall slots 54, and the tab foot portion 244A extends downwardly from the cantilevered portion 242A adjacent the standard first wall 51 below the slot 54 to hold the shelf support 146A on the standard 48. The tab 240A may be characterized as being located rearwardly of, and extending generally parallel to, the standard lateral extension 56.

As can be seen in FIGS. 27, 28, and 29, the shelf retainer 150A has slide portions 184A for each being received in one of the shelf support vertical channels 164A as can be seen in FIG. 30 and 32. The shelf retainer 150A also includes a cantilevered upper clamp jaw 190A for engaging the top surface of the shelf 42 (FIGS. 24, 31 and 33).

As can be seen in FIG. 27, the lower end of the shelf retainer 150A includes a forwardly projecting lug or boss 200A defining a vertically oriented, threaded bore 206A which, when the shelf retainer 150A is mounted in the shelf support 146A as shown in FIG. 30, is aligned with the shelf support vertically oriented screw shank-receiving aperture and with the screw shank 178A (FIG. 32) so that the screw shank 178A can be threadingly engaged with the shelf retainer threaded bore 206 (FIG. 32).

Initially, the shelf support 146A can be adjustably connected to the shelf retainer 150A with the threaded shank 178A of the screw extending upwardly from the bottom of the shelf support 146A into the threaded bore of the shelf retainer boss or lug 200 (FIG. 32). The assembly of the shelf retainer 150A and connected shelf support 146A can then be mounted at a selected elevation on the standard 48 with the attachment portion 230A at the rear of the shelf support 146A as shown in FIGS. 32 and 34.

When the shelf support 146A is connected to the shelf retainer 150A sufficiently far below the shelf retainer upper clamp jaw 190A, there is enough space between the upper clamp jaw 190A and the shelf support lower clamp jaw 170A to insert the shelf 42 as shown in FIGS. 31 and 33. If necessary, the adjusting screw in the shelf support 146A can be adjusted by engaging the screw head 180A (FIG. 31) with a screw driver, and rotating the screw to move the shelf support 146A upwardly relative to the shelf retainer upper clamp jaw 190A so that the shelf 42 is tightly gripped between the lower clamp jaw 170A and upper clamp jaw 190A.

Of course, the second embodiment of the system illustrated in FIGS. 9-23 and the third embodiment of the system illustrated in FIGS. 24-34 may be used with a wider (i.e., longer) shelf 42 or shelves supported by a plurality of vertically oriented, parallel, spaced-apart standards 48 to which are mounted the second embodiment assembly of the shelf support 146, shelf retainer 150, and hanger 160, or the third embodiment assembly of the shelf support 146A and shelf retainer 150A.

It will be readily apparent from the foregoing detailed description of the invention and from the illustrations thereof that numerous variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the true spirit and scope of the novel concepts or principles of this invention. 

1. A system for mounting one or more shelves to a generally vertical surface, said system comprising: (I) a least one standard for being attached to said vertical surface, said standard having rearwardly extending, spaced-apart, first and second walls and having a front wall extending across said first and second walls to define the front of said standard, said standard first wall defining a column of vertically spaced slots, said standard also having a lateral extension extending laterally beyond said first wall to conceal said slots from view when said standard is attached to said vertical surface and viewed looking generally toward said front of said standard; and (II) at least one shelf support having (A) a shelf support platform upon which at least a portion of a shelf can be disposed, and (B) an attachment portion that (1) is located at one end of said shelf support platform, (2) extends adjacent and rearwardly beyond said standard lateral extension, and (3) has at least one tab that (i) is located rearwardly of, and extends generally adjacent to, said standard lateral extension and standard front wall, (ii) has a cantilevered portion passing through one of said standard first wall slots, and (iii) has a foot portion depending downwardly from said cantilevered portion adjacent said standard first wall below said one slot to hold said shelf support on said standard.
 2. The system in accordance with claim 1 in which said shelf support platform has a generally U-shaped, transverse cross section defined by first and second, generally parallel, spaced-apart legs which are joined by a connecting web along the length of the bottom of said shelf support platform.
 3. The system in accordance with claim 2 in which said shelf support platform first leg extends rearwardly into said attachment portion; and said shelf support platform second leg has a rearwardly facing, vertical, abutment surface for engaging said standard front wall.
 4. The system in accordance with claim 1 in which said shelf support attachment portion includes a rear wall generally parallel to, and behind, said standard lateral extension; and said at least one tab extends from said rear wall.
 5. A system for mounting one or more shelves to a generally vertical surface, said system comprising: (I) at least one standard for being attached to said vertical surface, said standard having rearwardly extending, spaced-apart, first and second walls and having a front wall extending across said first and second walls to define the front of said standard, said standard first wall defining a column of vertically spaced slots, said standard also having a lateral extension extending laterally beyond said first wall to conceal said slots from view when said standard is attached to said vertical surface and is viewed looking generally toward said front of said standard; (II) a shelf support having (A) a cantilevered lower clamp jaw on which at least a portion of a shelf bottom surface can be disposed, (B) a pair of spaced-apart, vertical channels which open toward each other, and (C) a vertically oriented screw shank-receiving aperture for receiving the shank of a screw; (III) a shelf retainer having (A) slide portions received in said shelf support channels, (B) a cantilevered upper clamp jaw for engaging a top surface of a shelf, (C) a horizontally oriented screw shank-receiving aperture, and (D) a vertically oriented, threaded bore aligned with said shelf support vertically oriented screw shank-receiving aperture; (IV) a first screw having a head bearing against said shelf support and having a shank extending through said shelf support vertically oriented screw shank-receiving aperture and into threaded engagement with said shelf retainer vertically oriented, threaded bore for adjustably holding said shelf support to said shelf retainer to position said lower clamp jaw at a selected distance below said upper clamp jaw thereby clamping said shelf therebetween; (V) a hanger for mounting said shelf retainer to said standard, said hanger including (A) a front panel defining a horizontally oriented threaded bore for alignment with said shelf retainer horizontally oriented screw shank-receiving aperture, (B) an attachment portion that (1) extends from said front panel adjacent and rearwardly beyond said standard lateral extension, and (2) has at least one tab that (i) is located rearwardly of, and extends generally adjacent to, said standard lateral extension and standard front wall, (ii) has a cantilevered portion passing through one of said standard first wall slots, and (iii) has a foot portion depending downwardly from said cantilevered portion adjacent said standard first wall below said one slot to hold said hanger on said standard; and (VI) a second screw having a head bearing against said shelf retainer and having a shank extending through said shelf retainer horizontally oriented screw shank-receiving aperture and into threaded engagement with said hanger horizontally oriented threaded bore to hold said shelf retainer to said hanger.
 6. The system in accordance with claim 5 in which said shelf support lower clamp jaw is defined by a rim around a concave region.
 7. The system in accordance with claim 5 in which said hanger attachment portion has a rearwardly extending wall extending from said front panel generally perpendicular to said front panel, and has a rear wall that extends from said rearwardly extending wall and that is generally parallel to said front panel.
 8. The system in accordance with claim 7 in which said at least one tab extends from said rear wall.
 9. A system for mounting one or more shelves to a generally vertical surface, said system comprising: (I) at least one standard for being attached to said vertical surface, said standard having rearwardly extending, spaced-apart, first and second walls and having a front wall extending across said first and second walls to define the front of said standard, said standard first wall defining a column of vertically spaced slots, said standard also having a lateral extension extending laterally beyond said first wall to conceal said slots from view when said standard is attached to said vertical surface and is viewed looking generally toward said front of said standard; (II) a shelf support having (A) a cantilevered lower clamp jaw on which at least a portion of a shelf bottom surface can be disposed, (B) a pair of spaced-apart, vertical channels which open toward each other, (C) a vertically oriented screw shank-receiving aperture for receiving the shank of a screw, (D) an attachment portion that (1) extends from said lower clamp jaw adjacent and rearwardly beyond said standard lateral extension, and (2) has at least one tab that (i) is located rearwardly of, and extends generally adjacent to, said standard lateral extension and standard front wall, (ii) has a cantilevered portion passing through one of said standard first wall slots, and (iii) has a foot portion depending downwardly from said cantilevered portion adjacent said standard first wall below said one slot to hold said shelf support on said standard; (III) a shelf retainer having (A) slide portions received in said shelf support channels, (B) a cantilevered upper clamp jaw for engaging a top surface of a shelf, (C) a horizontally oriented screw shank-receiving aperture, and (D) a vertically oriented, threaded bore aligned with said shelf support vertically oriented screw shank-receiving aperture; and (IV) a screw having a head bearing against said shelf support and having a shank extending through said shelf support vertically oriented screw shank-receiving aperture and into threaded engagement with said shelf retainer vertically oriented, threaded bore for adjustably holding said shelf retainer to said shelf support to position said shelf retainer upper clamp jaw at a selected distance above said shelf support lower clamp jaw thereby clamping said shelf therebetween.
 10. The system in accordance with claim 9 in which said shelf support lower clamp jaw is defined by a rim around a concave region.
 11. The system in accordance with claim 9 in which said shelf attachment portion includes a rearwardly extending wall and has a rear wall that extends from said rearwardly extending wall.
 12. The system in accordance with claim 11 in which said at least one tab extends from said rear wall. 